According to data from greenfield investment monitor fDi Markets, China attracted 27% fewer FDI projects during the first half of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011, while capital expenditure was more than halved and job creation was down by 45%.

During the first six months of 2012, western European countries were the leading investors in China, accounting for 35% of all FDI projects in the country. However, FDI projects by western European countries were down 25% compared to the same period in 2011. The second most popular source region in the first half of 2011, North America, was the third largest investor into China in the same period of 2012 following a 31% decline in project numbers.

Shanghai remained the top destination city in China for FDI projects in the first six months of 2012. However, the city attracted just 101 FDI projects in the first half of 2012, down from 152 in the first half of 2011. Beijing did not suffer the same decline, with just one less project attracted during first half of 2012.

In the first six months of 2012, the Chinese chemicals, plastics and electronic components sectors suffered significant declines in project numbers of 40%, 35% and 55%, respectively, compared to the same period in 2011.